To save on costs, a large number of small and medium-sized businesses would consider using pirated software. According to a new study, a surprising number of businesses are willing to break the law in order to save money. What is our recommendation? Before you walk the plank, think twice.
Project management tools and marketing and sales software are currently the most popular types of pirated software. However, 56% of business owners said they would consider using illegal cyber security software to save money.
Don’t do it.
Not only is pirated software unsupported, which means that if you have a problem with it (which you almost certainly will), there is no way to fix it, but it may also expose your company to more serious issues.
It’s common for cybercriminals to distribute malware using pirated software. Some of this is designed to bypass firewalls, which means that once installed, it can spread malicious files beyond your device to the rest of your network. As a result, your sensitive data may be compromised or stolen.
The cost of repairing damage caused by a cyber attack can be exorbitant, and pirated software can harm your devices by causing them to slow down or overheat.
We always recommend to our clients that they use genuine software from a reputable source. If the price of the software appears to be too good to be true, it most likely is.
But there is something else you can do. By properly managing admin rights, you can prevent unauthorised employees from downloading potentially harmful software. Furthermore, you should ensure that your entire team receives regular cyber security awareness training to make everyone aware of the threats to your company’s data.
If you need assistance finding genuine software for your company or developing a cyber security plan, get in touch.